U.S. patent number 5,199,421 [Application Number 07/791,353] was granted by the patent office on 1993-04-06 for swim mask and snorkel apparatus.
Invention is credited to Gerard G. Figgiani, Angel Starling.
United States Patent |
5,199,421 |
Figgiani , et al. |
April 6, 1993 |
Swim mask and snorkel apparatus
Abstract
A swim mask includes a tubular conduit defining a framework
about a visor for the mask structure, with the framework further
including a right and left snorkel tube mounted to the framework
extending upwardly thereof, with the snorkel tubes through the
framework arranged for pneumatic communication with a mouthpiece
mounted to a lower distal end of the framework at an intersection
of the right and left lower conduits of the framework. A
modification of the invention includes a seal conduit coextensive
with the mask framework to enhance sealing of the mask relative to
the individual mounted to a rear surface of the mask conduit.
Inventors: |
Figgiani; Gerard G. (Bayside,
NY), Starling; Angel (Bayside, NY) |
Family
ID: |
25153459 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/791,353 |
Filed: |
November 14, 1991 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
128/201.11;
128/201.26; 128/201.27; D24/110.4; D24/110.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C
11/16 (20130101); B63C 2011/165 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B63C
11/02 (20060101); B63C 11/16 (20060101); B63C
011/16 (); B63C 011/02 (); A62B 018/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/201.11,201.26,201.27,200.24,207.14,207.17 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Burr; Edgar S.
Assistant Examiner: Asher; Kimberly L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gilden; Leon
Claims
What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by LETTERS
PATENT of the United States is as follows:
1. A swim mask apparatus, comprising,
a visor conduit frame, the conduit frame including a right temple
conduit spaced from a left temple conduit,
and
a right lower conduit and a left lower conduit, an upper distal end
of the right lower conduit mounted to a lower distal end of the
right temple conduit,
and
an upper distal end of the left lower conduit mounted to a lower
distal end of the left temple conduit, wherein the right lower
conduit and the left lower conduit merge into an air manifold,
and
a forehead conduit joined to an upper distal end of the right
temple conduit and an upper distal end of the left temple conduit
at opposed right and left distal ends of the temple conduit, with
the temple conduit, the right temple conduit, the left temple
conduit, the right lower conduit, the left lower conduit, and the
air manifold in pneumatic communication,
and
a right snorkel tube in pneumatic communication with a first
intersection of the forehead conduit and the right temple
conduit,
and
a left snorkel tube in pneumatic communication with a second
junction defined by an intersection of the forehead conduit and the
left temple conduit, wherein the right snorkel tube and the left
snorkel tube extend upwardly above the forehead conduit,
and
an adjustable strap member secured to the right temple conduit and
the left temple conduit for securement of the visor conduit frame
to an individual,
and
a transparent visor contained coextensively within the visor
conduit frame.
2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a sealing conduit
mounted to a rear surface of the visor conduit rearwardly and
spaced from the visor, and wherein the sealing conduit includes a
sealing conduit extension leg extending along a rear surface of the
right snorkel tube terminating in an inflation opening, and an
inflation cap mounted adjacent the inflation opening to effect
sealing of the inflation opening and the sealing conduit upon
pressurizing the sealing conduit to enhance sealing to an
individual.
3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 including a "V" shaped
groove coextensively directed throughout the sealing conduit
substantially diametrically opposed relative to the visor conduit
frame, and a sealer fluid contained within the "V" shaped groove to
enhance sealing relative to an individual.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to swim mask apparatus, and more
particularly pertains to a new and improved swim mask apparatus
wherein the same is arranged to permit simultaneous snorkeling in
association with a swim mask in a unitary construction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Snorkels and swim masks of various types are utilized throughout
the prior art to enhance ease of access to below a water surface in
a swimming and snorkeling procedure. Such apparatus is exemplified
in U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,995 to Christianson setting forth a snorkel
device for a swimmer, and similarly such structure of various types
as illustrated in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,610 to Hunt.
A face mask in U.S. Pat. No. 4,896,380 to Camitani sets forth and
organization utilizing built-in ear plugs.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need
for a new and improved swim mask apparatus as set forth by the
instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use
as well as effectiveness in construction and in this respect, the
present invention substantially fulfills this need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types
of swim mask apparatus now present in the prior art, the present
invention provides a swim mask apparatus wherein the same is
arranged to include unitary snorkeling structure in association
with a swim mask. As such, the general purpose of the present
invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail,
is to provide a new and improved swim mask apparatus which has all
the advantages of the prior art swim mask apparatus and none of the
disadvantages.
To attain this, the present invention provides a swim mask
including a tubular conduit defining a framework about a visor for
the mask structure, with the framework further including a right
and left snorkel tube mounted to the framework extending upwardly
thereof, with the snorkel tubes through the framework arranged for
pneumatic communication with a mouthpiece mounted to a lower distal
end of the framework at an intersection of the right and left lower
conduits of the framework. A modification of the invention includes
a seal conduit coextensive with the mask framework to enhance
sealing of the mask relative to the individual mounted to a rear
surface of the mask conduit.
My invention resides not in any of these features per se, but
rather in the particular combination of all of them herein
disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in
this particular combination of all of its structures for the
functions specified.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that
the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are, of course, additional features of the invention that
will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject
matter of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will
appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is
based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of
other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several
purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the
present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is
neither intended to define the invention of the application, which
is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to
the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved swim mask apparatus which has all the advantages of
the prior art swim mask apparatus and none of the
disadvantages.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and
improved swim mask apparatus which may be easily and efficiently
manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new
and improved swim mask apparatus which is of a durable and reliable
construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new
and improved swim mask apparatus which is susceptible of a low cost
of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which
accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the
consuming public, thereby making such swim mask apparatus
economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a
new and improved swim mask apparatus which provides in the
apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages
thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages
normally associated therewith.
These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are
pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming
a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the
invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects
attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying
drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated
preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and objects other than
those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is
given to the following detailed description thereof. Such
description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is an orthographic front view of the invention.
FIG. 2 is an orthographic side view of the instant invention.
FIG. 3 is an isometric illustration of the instant invention.
FIG. 4 is an isometric illustration of a modification of the
invention.
FIG. 5 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 5--5 of FIG.
4 in the direction indicated by the arrows.
FIG. 6 is an isometric illustration of a further modification of
the sealing conduit structure of the invention.
FIG. 7 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 7--7 of FIG.
6 in the direction indicated by the arrows.
FIG. 8 is an orthographic view, taken along the lines 8--8 of FIG.
7 in the direction indicated by the arrows.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 to
8 thereof, a new and improved swim mask apparatus embodying the
principles and concepts of the present invention and generally
designated by the reference numerals 10 and 10a will be
described.
More specifically, the swim mask apparatus 10 of the invention
essentially comprises a tubular visor conduit frame 11, including a
right temple conduit 12 spaced from a left temple conduit 13. The
right temple conduit 12 at its lower distal end is in pneumatic
communication with a right lower conduit 14, with a lower distal
end of the left temple conduit 13 in pneumatic communication with a
left lower conduit 15. The right and left lower conduits 14 and 15
merge together into an air manifold 16 at lower distal ends of the
right and left lower conduits 14 and 15. The air manifold 16
includes an air manifold conduit 17 directed rearwardly of the air
manifold 16 terminating in a mouthpiece head 18 spaced from the air
manifold 16 to permit an individual to orally grasp the mouthpiece
head 18 for pneumatic communication through the right and left
conduits 14 and 15. A forehead conduit 19 joins upper distal ends
of the respective right and left temple conduits 12 and 13. A right
snorkel tube 22 extends upwardly of the right temple conduit 12,
with a left snorkel tube 23 extending upwardly of the left temple
conduit 13. The right temple conduit 12, the forehead conduit 19,
and a lower distal end of the right snorkel tube 22 merge at a
right junction 20, wherein a left junction 21 is defined by an
intersection of the left snorkel tube 23, the upper distal end of
the left temple conduit 13 and a left distal end of the forehead
conduit 19. As illustrated, the right and left snorkel tubes 22 and
23 extend upwardly and above the forehead conduit 19 permitting an
individual to descend below a water surface level while
simultaneously permitting breathing through the mask structure. A
transparent visor 25 is contained coextensively within the conduit
frame 11 and wherein an adjustable strap member 24, either
elastomeric or of adjustable webbing, is provided and mounted
medially of the right and left temple conduits 12 and 13 for
securement about a head portion of an individual.
A modified aspect of the invention 10a is illustrated in the FIGS.
5-8 wherein a sealing pressurized conduit 26 is mounted
coextensively to a rear surface of the visor conduit frame 11,
wherein the sealing conduit 26 is arranged coextensively relative
to a bottom surface of the conduit frame 11, with an extension leg
26a extending along a rear surface of the right snorkel tube and an
inflation opening 27 plug selectively with a cap 28. A "V" shaped
groove 29 is formed within the sealing conduit 26 coextensively
therethroughout substantially diametrically opposed to the visor
frame 11 receiving a viscous gel sealer 30 therewithin to enhance
sealing of the organization relative to an individual's face.
As to the manner of usage and operation of the instant invention,
the same should be apparent from the above disclosure, and
accordingly no further discussion relative to the manner of usage
and operation of the instant invention shall be provided.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized
that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the
invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form,
function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all
equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and
described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by
the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications
and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is
not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and
operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
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